In this Red Sox at Rays prediction, the two AL East rivals will play game two of their three-game set in Tampa. The Red Sox made several key additions to their roster this offseason, hoping to return to the playoffs. The Rays want to get back to the playoffs after missing out in 2024. The pitching matchup for game two of the series features Red Sox righty Walker Buehler (1-1, 5.74), matching up with the Rays' righty Ryan Pepiot (1-1, 3.38). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM EST. Read on for more in this Red Sox/Rays prediction, and grab our top MLB predictions to increase your bankroll!
Boston offense hoping to restart
The Boston Red Sox are hoping that the warm weather of Florida reignites an offense that had gone cold in the frigid temps they've played in over the last week. The Red Sox lost the first two games of their weekend series to the White Sox in Chicago. They rallied back behind a dominant pitching performance by Garrett Crochet on Sunday to win 3-1. Crochet allowed just one hit through 7+ innings of work and struck out 11. Trevor Story doubled and homered to drive in all three of the BoSox runs.
*This article was written before the completion of Monday night's Red Sox/Rays game.
The Red Sox will hand the ball over to veteran Walker Buehler in game two of this series against the Rays. Buehler is in his first season with the Red Sox and nearing a year removed from his second Tommy John surgery. Buehler is 1-1 on the season with a 5.74 ERA in three starts. He has a WHIP of 1.28 and has allowed 18 hits in 15.2 innings of work. His last start, against the Blue Jays, was Buehler's best of the season. He allowed four hits in 6.1 innings of work while allowing just one run. Buehler struck out a season-high seven batters and walked just one.
Key Injuries: SP Richard Fitts, LF Masataka Yoshida, Lucas Giolito, SP Brayan Bello, and RP Liam Hendriks are out.
Rays continue home-stand
The Tampa Bay Rays continue their home stand this week against the Red Sox in their temporary home in Tampa. The Rays enjoyed home cooking this weekend, taking two of three games from the struggling Braves. On Sunday, the Braves clinched the series with an 8-3 victory. Starter John Boyle went five innings and didn't allow a run or a hit while striking out seven to pick up the win. Junior Caminero powered the Rays' offense with a three-run home run.
*This article was written before the completion of Monday night's Red Sox/Rays game.
The Rays will turn to Ryan Pepiot in game two of the series vs. the BoSox. Pepiot is 1-1 on the season with an ERA of 3.38 and a WHIP of 1.50. He has allowed 17 hits in 16 innings of work while walking seven and striking out 16. In his last start, Pepiot allowed six hits and three runs in five innings of work. He walked three and struck out five in an eventual 5-4 win over the Angels in Tampa. He also gave up three home runs in the game.
Key Injuries: RF Jonny DeLuca, RP Jonathan Hernandez, 2B Richie Palacios, and 1B Tre' Morgan are out.
Best Bets for Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
Buehler seemed to find his groove in his last start at Fenway. He kept the Blue Jays lineup off-balance by utilizing all his pitches while striking out a season-high seven batters. Pepiot is coming off a start in which he gave up three home runs at home to the Angels. He has given up four home runs on the season, and that will be an issue against a Sox lineup that should thrive back in the warm weather. Expect the Sox bats to light up Pepiot and Buehler to keep the light-hitting Rays at bay.
Take Boston with the money line.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
The Red Sox stacked lineup hasn't exploded yet, but the warm weather in Florida should help the cause. The Sox went nearly a week without a home run before Story's blast on Sunday. There is too much power up and down their lineup not to take off soon. This is the perfect spot to do it in a park where the Rays have gone over the number in five straight games heading into Monday night's matchup with Boston. The Sox will be swinging early and often on Tuesday night and will be the catalysts to get this game over the number.
Take the over.
Want a second opinion on this pick?
For another opinion on this game, check out Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction from Statsalt, our partner site.
